Tension control for ski bindings

ABSTRACT

Adjustable tensioning means for mechanical parts, particularly ski bindings. In a mechanical device such as a releasable ski binding having a backing abutment at one end thereof and an anchoring or locating means at the other end thereof, variation in tension can be provided by locating one or more inserts, such as washers, between the spring and either the abutment or the locating or anchoring means. Such washers are, in this invention, provided with nesting contours such that the washers can be inserted into or released from operating position only by partial retraction of the spring and axial movement of the washer. In some embodiments the inserts are movable mounted for insertion or removal by a lateral motion.

United States Patent Smolka et a1.

[15] 3,685,847 51 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] TENSION CONTROL FOR SKI BINDINGS[72] Inventors: Thomas G. Smolka, Wien-Mauer; Gottfried Schweizer, Wien,both of [21] Appl. No.: 25,650

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 9, 1969 Austria ..A 3454/69[52] US. Cl. ..280/ll.35 T, 267/ 177 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63c 9/00, A63c9/08, A63c 9/24 [58] Field of Search ..267/177, 70, 74, 33, 22, 175,267/151, 152; 293/89; 280/1135 T, 11.35 P;

3,425 ,3 18 2/ 1969 Whitehill ..267/ 3 3 2,613,571 10/1952 Herman..308/244 3,168,903 2/1965 Pearl ..267/175 3,258,274 6/1966 Beecher..280/11.35 T

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,089,313 9/1960 Germany ..280/1 1.35 T

Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard andFlynn [57] ABSTRACT Adjustable tensioning means for mechanical parts,particularly ski bindings. In a mechanical device such as a releasableski binding having a backing abutment at one end thereof and ananchoring or locating means at the other end thereof, variation intension can be provided by locating one or more inserts, such aswashers, between the spring and either the abutment or the locating oranchoring means. Such washers are, in this invention, provided withnesting contours such that the washers can be inserted into or releasedfrom operating position only by partial retraction of the spring andaxial movement of the washer. In some embodiments the inserts aremovable mounted for insertion or removal by a lateral motion.

5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures AIEmEDnuszz m2 FIG/2 FIG? TENSION CONTROLFOR SKI BINDINGS The invention refers to a spring connector which holdstogether two mechanical parts, especially two parts of a ski binding,whereby a spring is supported on the one side by an abutment and engagesan anchoring device on the other.

With previously known spring anchors, changing of the spring tension canbe achieved by an adjustment device in the form of a screw or somethingsimilar. Such an adjustment may be made by practically anyone merelywith the use of a coin. Should the skis be left unattended somewhere,any stranger could conceivably make such an undesirable change inadjustment which could not very readily be discovered by the properowner. In addition, such a maladjustment is frequently made by the skisowner himself, particularly with a beginning skier. At times theadjustment even changes very gradually by itself. Whenever the bindingis improperly adjusted, it could either disengage with only a very smallpressure, or it could readily fail to release the boot in the event ofexcessive pressure, such as that from a fall. In either event, suchmalfunction could readily lead to bone fractures or other injuries.

It had already been suggested that the problem could be met by usingseveral inter-changeable springs of various tensions. This again createsa disadvantage, because it makes it necessary to have in stock a largeassortment of springs, practically one set of springs for each binding,and such springs, are relatively expensrve.

It is, therefore, the intended function of the invention to remove thesedisadvantages, and to create an adjustment device which can be operatedonly with a special tool. A change of adjustment can thereby be madeonly by a trained mechanic or by the owner of the skis, provided he hasreceived proper instruction. In most cases, the binding will be mountedto the ski at the time of purchase, and will be properly adjusted andset by the salesman, who is the expert in this case. Loan skis will beadjusted by properly trained service personnel.

According to the invention, the assigned function will be fulfilled bychanging the lateral tension of the spring with the addition of one ormore washer discs between the spring and the abutment and respectivelybetween the spring and the anchoring pin. The force of the spring willhold these washers against the abutment, and they may be removed only byovercoming the spring tension. This requires considerable strength andis possible only with the aid of a tool together with some minimumknowledge of the construction. These washers are essentially all thesame size and can produced quite inexpensively.

The drawing illustrates the nature of the invention in a variety ofembodiments:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the anchored part of a swing plate in top and sideview;

FIGS. 3-5 show a heel binding;

FIG. 4 being a cross section according to line lV-IV; and

FIG. 5 being a cross section according to line V-V of FIG. 3;

and FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, 9, l0 and 11, 12, 13 and 14 show additionalconstruction details illustrating the basic nature of the invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, two parts, i.e., the plate body 1 of aswing plate and a base plate 2 are fastened to each other. The pin 3 isfirmly connected to the base plate 2, about which plate body 1 can swingwhen the anchor is loosened. An anchoring'device 5 of plate body 1 isbacked by a resilient device 6 and projects into an indentation 4 in thebase plate 2. The abutment 7 for the spring 6 is formed by a lever whichalso swings about the pin 3. Washers 9 are placed between the abutment 7and the spring 6.

Depending upon at what tension the disengaging of the anchoring deviceis to take place, additional washers may be added to increase thetension of the spring or one or more washers may be removed to reducethe spring tension. When all washers 9 are removed, the spring issupported directly by the abutment 7, resulting in minimum force.

In order to be able to increase or reduce the number of washers 9, theabutment 7 which is designed as a lever, must be swung out of alignmentwith the spring 6. Such a swung out position can be achieved only withthe aid of a tool 8. A concentric protrusion 10 of one washer 9 fitsinto the concentric indentation of the next. A concentric annularprofile or groove 12 is cut into the abutment and a defining protrusion10. The topmost washer 9 grips into this groove and the abutment islocked into position, so that it cannot swing out by itself.

Two holes 13 are drilled into the abutment 7, into which the two pins 14of tool 8 are placed, in order to move the abutment. The pins 14 aremade long enough to be able to depress the washer discs, whereby thetopmost washer disc 9 is pressed out of the annular groove 12. Now it ispossible to swing out the abutment which is designed as a lever. Whenthe abutment 7 is swung out, the number of washer discs 9 is correctedas desired and the abutment 7 moved over them. In the illustrated middleposition, the topmost washer disc will snap into the annular groove 12.

According to FIGS. 3-5, the spring sets on an anchoring device designedas a lock which is housed in a casing 15 secured to a ski 15a and whichcan be swung about the axis 16. A sole clamp 17 for releasably holding aski boot 17a is also supported by the casing 15 and can be swung aboutthe axis 18. The anchoring device 50 engages a bolt 19 which is firmlyconnected to the clamp 17. The anchoring device can be disengaged onlyin the event of an excessive force in an upward direction which throughthe bolt 19 acts on the anchor 5a against the force of the spring 6.

The spring 6 is seated in a pin 20 at the back wall of the casing 15which forms the abutment 7a. Between the abutment 7a and the spring 6,and respectively between the spring 6 and the pin 20, several smallplates 9a may be inserted through swinging about the axis 30, wherebythe lateral force or pretension of the spring 6 may be adjusted to suitrequired conditions.

The small plates 9a have profiles or indentations 21 and protrusions 22,so that each protrusion 22 fits into the profile or indentation 21 ofthe next following plate. Through this means, an undesirable movement ofthe plates 9a is prevented. In its rest position, an additional springelement 23 grips into a plate 9a, so that even in a disengaged positionany self-induced movement of the plates 9a is prevented.

On one side the plates 9a are slanted so that sharp edges 24 are createdwhich allow for an easy swinging respectively between the abutment 7a,the spring 6 and the pin 20. The plates 90 are supported inside thecasing 15 and do not extend above the casing and can be reached onlythrough the opening of the casing. The plates 9ahave on their free frontsides, a cutout 25 into which a tool shaped like a screw driver may beplaced. With the aid of this tool, the plates 9a may be moved toward oraway from the abutment7a, depending on the required adjustment of theanchoring force. The opening of the casing 15 can also be equipped withan easily removable cover, in order to protect the adjustment mechanismagainst such things as dirt, snow, ice, etc.

FIG. 6 shows a pin 26 firmly connected to the abutment 7b. The spring 6is supported by washer discs 9b which are concentrically bored andarranged on the pin 26. In the case of an adjustment, the spring has tobe pressed upwards and, depending on the required conditions, washerdiscs may either be added or removed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a washer 90 which on the one side has aprotrusion a and on the other an indentation 11a. A slotted cutout 27allows forthis washer to be placed on a pin from the side between theabutment and the spring. With the arrangement of several such washers9c, the protrusion 10a of one washer grips into the indentation 11a ofthe next following, in order to prevent any self-induced loosening.

. FIG. 9 shows a socket 28 firmly connected to abutment 7b, into whichmay be placed one or more washers between the abutment 7b and the spring6, depending on the desired conditions.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a similar washer 9e as in FIG. 7 and 8, with aslotted cutout 27a for placing it on a bolt perpendicular to its axis.However, this washer has three hump-like protrusions 10b which grip intothree similar indentations 1 1b of the following washer.

FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a similar washer 9f as illustrated inFIG. 10 and 11. The slotted cutout 27b, however, is considerably longer,and the side parts 29 of the long slot 27b are slanted, which allows foreasier insertion.

According to FIGS. 13 and 14, approximately cupshaped washers 9g, 9h areprovided which are positioned between the abutment 7b and the spring 6and through their central boring are placed on a bolt 26 which is firmlyconnected to the abutment 7b. These cup-shaped washers may be nested, asshown in FIG. 13. For the purpose of changing the lateral tension of thespring, the inner washer can be taken out, or both washers can beremoved. In addition, another washer 93 may be placed on the bolt 26 inreverse position, as shown in FIG. 14, or this may be done with washer9h which is somewhat lower than washer 9g. Still further,

I according to FIG. 14, the washer 9h could be arranged on pin 26 in twopositions on top of washer 9g. Therefore, seven different adjustmentpositions are possible.

It is understood that the nature of the invention is not restricted tothe illustrated embodiments. For example, cup-shaped washers could alsobe used with the construction according to FIGS. 13 and 14. Undercertain conditions a proper adjustment may be achieved with only onewasher. In addition, it would be possible to design an abutment, forexample, as in FIG. 1 with a conventional bayonet lock. The washerscould also be made with eyes or something similar, so that they could begripped with a hooklike tool when they are removed. There are additionalvariations of the construction design which lie within the frame ofreference of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows: l

1. In a ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot to a ski having afirst member fixed to said ski and a 7 second member for engaging a skiboot and adapted to move relative to said first member between bootholding and boot releasing positions, safety release apparatus forreleasably connecting said first member to I said second member, theimprovement comprising:

abutment means on one of said first and second members and having firstprofile means thereon; anchor means on said one of said first and secondmembers and adapted to move relative to said abutment means, movement ofsaid anchor'means being in response to movement of said second memberrelative to said first member; spring means positioned between saidabutment means and said anchor means and aligned with said first profilemeans on said abutment means for ble connection between said first andsecond 7 members and thence permit said relative movement between saidfirst and second members to release said boot, each of said plurality ofremovable spacer means having second profile means thereon adapted tocooperate with said first profile means on said abutment means to efiectand maintain an alignment of said spacer means with said first profilemeans and said spring means, each of said plurality of removable spacermeans being selectively pivotally secured 10 said abutment means andpivotal into and out of a position between said abutment means and saidspring means.

2. Safety release apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an edge ofeach of saidremovable spacer means is slanted to facilitate the pivotalmovement into said position being between said abutment means and saidspring means. I

3. Safety release apparatus according to claim I, in-

cluding clamping means for holding the ones of said removable spacermeans not positioned between said abutment means and said spring meansin a fixed location.

4. Safety release apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said abutmentmeans and said anchor means are mounted on said first member. 1

5. In a ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot to a ski having afirst member fixed to a ski and a second member for engaging a ski bootand adapted to move means and said anchor means for resilientlyresisting the movement of said anchor means; and

plurality of removable spacer means pivotally secured to said one ofsaid first and second members and adapted to be selectively moved intoand out of a position between said spring means and one of said abutmentmeans and said anchor means to selectively control the tension of saidspring means and thereby the force necessary to release said releasableconnection between said first and second members.

* =l I I

1. In a ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot to a ski having afirst member fixed to said ski and a second member for engaging a skiboot and adapted to move relative to said first member between bootholding and boot releasing positions, safety release apparatus forreleasably connecting said first member to said second member, theimprovement comprising: abutment means on one of said first and secondmembers and having first profile means thereon; anchor means on said oneof said first and second members and adapted to move relative to saidabutment means, movement of said anchor means being in response tomovement of said second member relative to said first member; springmeans positioned between said abutment means and said anchor means andaligned with said first profile means on said abutment means forresiliently resisting a movement of said anchor means and for urgingsaid anchor means to a position to releasably hold said second member insaid boot holding position; and a plurality of removable spacer meanspositioned between said spring means and one of said abutment means andsaid anchor means for selectively controlling the tension of said springmeans and thereby the force necessary to release said releasableconnection between said first and second members and thence permit saidrelative movement between said first and second members to release saidboot, each of said plurality of removable spacer means having secondprofile means thereon adapted to cooperate with said first profile meanson said abutment means to effect and maintain an alignment of saidspacer means with said first profile means and said spring means, eachof said plurality of removable spacer means being selectively pivotallysecured to said abutment means and pivotal into and out of a positionbetween said abutment means and said spring means.
 2. Safety releaseapparatus according to claim 1, wherein an edge of each of saidremovable spacer means is slanted to facilitate the pivotal movementinto said position being between said abutment means and said springmeans.
 3. Safety release apparatus according to claim 1, includingclamping means for holding the ones of said removable spacer means notpositioned between said abutment means and said spring means in a fixedlocation.
 4. Safety release apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidabutment means and said anchor means are mounted on said first member.5. In a ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot to a ski having afirst member fixed to a ski and a second member for engaging a ski bootand adapted to move relative to said first member between boot holdingand boot releasing positions, safety release apparatus for releasablyconnecting said first member to said second member, the improvementcomprising: abutment means on one of said first and second members;anchor means on said one of said first and second members and adapted tomove relative to said abutment means, movement of said anchor meansbeing in response to movement of said second member relative to saidfirst member; spring means positioned between said abutment means andsaid anchor means for resiliently resisting the movement of said anchormeans; and a plurality of removable spacer means pivotally secured tosaid one of said first and second members and adapted to be selectivelymoved into and out of a position between said spring means and one ofsaid abutment means and said anchor means to selectively control thetension of said spring means and thereby the force necessary to releasesaid releasable connection between said first and second members.